I’ve posted about Pharoah’s condition previously. He was and remains a feral cat. He was born with an auto-immune virus common to feral cats that affects his right eye. I’ve been able to keep it under control with Lysene treats and granules that I mix in his wet food. But from time to time he has a flare-up that impacts his general well-being.
Two different vets have told me the only resolution is to remove the eye. But as a feral cat he won’t let me get near him with any medication that would be required after the surgery so that is out of the question.
A month or so ago he disappeared for a couple of days and I began to wonder if he had gone somewhere to die quietly, as cats will do.
I discovered he was living under the daybed in my office. It is pitch black under there and even with a flashlight I can’t get in far enough to see anything.
The only way I found out was because, being the good boy he is, he was coming out to use the litter box upstairs then disappearing under the bed again. I put his wet food under the bed and he was gobbling it up, so I knew he was not planning on leaving us any time soon.
After a couple of weeks of this he came out from under to nap on top of the bed. His eye was really scary looking… I won’t go into details. It seemed as if all the crud that was making him ill had come out through the eye. Then it cleared up.
As you can see from the photo above, which was taken just a few days ago, not only is he back to “normal” but his eye is looking better than it has in a long, long time. I have my fingers crossed that this is the last bout with the virus.
The other news is that on Saturday we will be celebrating the second anniversary of our bad boy Frankie’s adoption. Doesn’t he look like a little angel in the photo above? Only when he’s sleeping. The rest of the time he terrorizes the household.
I knew what I was getting into when I first adopted him. I went back to the shelter three times to make sure there wasn’t a more suitable cat, but there he was jumping up and down in his cage making sure he attracted my attention each time. So what could I do?
The attendant, I am sure anxious to get rid of that trouble maker, assured me he would settle down in time. TIME? Like the end of the world, maybe?
Unfortunately, the lotto ticket under Frankie’s ear did not turn out to be a winner. I keep trying.
I cannot ignore Freddie. After I took the photo of Pharoah, Freddie came running over and stuck his face in the lens. Really, I can see this portrait hanging in a museum of contemporary art, what do you think?
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December 4, 2015 at 12:52 pm
Yes and Yes!!!! So, happy about Pharoah’s eye and it looks great. The rest of the feline clan are lookin good too. Puddy-tats rule. You’re a great cat Mom!
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December 4, 2015 at 5:33 pm
Thanks Cate… being a cat mom can be a challenge but definitely rewarding!
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December 4, 2015 at 1:26 pm
That last image at the end is really good. I hope Frankie adapts Roslyn. Has the vet said anything about psyche meds?
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December 4, 2015 at 5:38 pm
Thanks Maria. Frankie is just naughty… and a bully. My late cat Friday who passed away a couple of years ago was bipolar and could be extremely aggressive… he was actually dangerous… but once he was on kittie prozac he calmed down and became a sweet pussycat. Frankie doesn’t have that kind of problem… he’s just highly rambunctious and annoying… the other cats have to clear out of his way!
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December 4, 2015 at 1:29 pm
Looks to me, Roslyn, like you have a very happy family. 😀 😀
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December 4, 2015 at 5:39 pm
Yes, indeed, Jet… I feel sorry for anybody who has to go through life catless (!!!)…
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December 4, 2015 at 2:24 pm
I hope everything stays wonderful. Beautiful cat. Sending love to him.
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December 4, 2015 at 5:40 pm
I’m passing on your kind words to Pharoah…
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December 4, 2015 at 3:05 pm
This sounds like a normal cat family. The good, the bad and occasionally ugly. So glad his eye cleared up on it’s own. My cat Morgan is missing an eye. They stitch the opening closed and I never have to administer drops. She does just fine but every once in a while someone can blindside her and she will react with a big jump.
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December 4, 2015 at 5:42 pm
Oh yes, Kate. There is a definite pecking order with Frankie at the top. Freddie the Gentle Giant and Pharoah get along pretty well most of the time. I may get to the point where I decide to have his eye removed… but not yet!
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December 5, 2015 at 6:14 am
Hold out if you can.
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December 10, 2015 at 10:39 am
I will hold out, Kate.
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December 4, 2015 at 6:09 pm
Great news on Pharoah…what a beautiful cat. He looks really good, Roslyn.
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December 10, 2015 at 10:40 am
thanks Jill.
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December 5, 2015 at 8:50 am
Self-healing has always amazed me.Nature has numerous ways to cure the incidents without any medicine intervention.Overjoyed to see Pharoah’s eye incredibly cured. And what a piece of Art is this tender pink nose and the phosphorescent luminous eye!And then,you tell me about my encouraging comments …
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December 10, 2015 at 10:41 am
Thanks Doda. Not sure he is healed but at least in remission… I’m grateful for that.
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December 10, 2015 at 2:11 pm
He will.Nature has great healing power.Be positive,he can read you and pumps strength from you.
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December 5, 2015 at 12:53 pm
I always enjoy your kitty photos, and I’m so happy to hear that Pharoah’s eyehas cleared up again, at least for now. He is a beauty. Even though Frankie is a bit on the wild side, I’m sure he brings you plenty of smiles. Absolutely LOVE that photo of Freddie. You’re right – it looks like it could hang in a museum with some sort of fancy title such as “Study of the Wild Beast Within” or maybe “Focus on Freddie” or some such thing. In any case, it was sweet to see your kitty family again. All of them beauties. 🙂
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December 10, 2015 at 10:39 am
Thank you. And now that Pharoah is feeling so much better he is not having any of Frankie’s hijinks and he is often heard hissing and growling at him! Behave, behave!
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December 10, 2015 at 10:12 am
Pharaoh looking so good. Hope he stays well.
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December 10, 2015 at 10:37 am
Thanks Chris, we all have our fingers and paws crossed!
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December 21, 2015 at 7:32 pm
Beautiful kitty. ❤
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December 22, 2015 at 8:10 am
Pharoah says thank you.
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